Local nursing students recently
created a garden at the City of Ventura's only family transitional housing
center that does not receive government funding. The organization, The City
Center, truly offers a hand up, not just a handout for families in need. It
provides extensive case management as well as mentoring programs for the residents.
Its mission statement is to provide a transitional living center for homeless
individuals and families in Ventura, equipping them to rebuild their lives
through self-sufficiency.

A garden box was built by the
nursing students that reflected the center's values. Through a "learn-by-doing" approach, the nursing students taught residents,
both parents and children, about how to plant, grow and maintain a sustainable
garden. Planted in the garden box are seedlings that will produce kale, leeks,
carrots, rainbow chard, lettuce, strawberries, broccoli and more. Residents
planted an herb garden that includes lemon verbena, mint, oregano and thyme. Agromin
donated the garden soil for the project.

The goal of the garden is to provide
residents with a stress-relieving activity to improve their mental health and well-being.
After a fun day in the sun, parents had smiles on their faces as they watched
their children laughing and playing in the garden they had just created
together. A simple garden and wonderful volunteers can make such a powerful
impact!